A convicted child rapist could be locked up after breaching a strict order aimed at keeping youngsters safe from him.

Former university computer technician John Neville Kay, 51, was told by a district judge to "go forth and sin no more" after breaching an interim Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Kay, pictured, previously jailed for raping an eight-year-old girl and sex offences against other young girls, was warned by a court earlier this month that he could go to prison if he offended again.

Yesterday he appeared before Teesside Magistrates' Court for breaching the full Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

The court was told how Kay was found to be in possession of photographs of children under the age of 18.

Although there was nothing overtly sexual about the images, the possession of the photos and use of a camera were in breach of his order.

Kay, of Bridge House, Bridge Road, Stockton, admitted three offences.

He pleaded guilty to one offence of possession of photographs of children under the age of 18 and two of using a camera when he was prohibited from doing so by the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Under the terms of his order, Kay is banned from associating or communicating with any child under 18, having a camera, video equipment or a mobile phone or possessing any photos or images of children.

Kay's solicitor Colin Sleeman invited District Judge Martin Walker to deal with the case himself and adjourn it for a pre-sentence report. He said Kay was entitled to credit for his guilty pleas.

Mr Sleeman said Kay's motive was not the taking of photos of children. He was recording social events he had attended with his girlfriend, including the Stockton International Riverside Festival.

They were photographs of Kay and his girlfriend but in the background, in the "general crowd", there were children under 18, the court heard.

Mr Sleeman said Kay had formed a relationship with the woman but hadn't told her about his background. "It is a case where his heart has ruled his head," he said.

The court heard that Kay presented "a very high risk of re-offending".